Palmetto-state cars featured at Hilton Head Festival

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. ­ _ The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance will hold a special gathering of historic Anderson Motor Co. cars manufactured in Rocky Hill, S.C., from 1916 through 1925. Several of these rare automobiles will be shown during the Nov. 4-6 Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival.

While over 5,500 cars were built, only a handful are thought to remain worldwide. One, a unique 1920 Anderson Six convertible roadster, will receive a special honor this year. The car, owned by Paul and Kathleen Ianuario of Duncan, S.C., will be added to the Historic Vehicle Association’s (HVA) National Historic Vehicle Register. All historic reference materials verified by HVA as well as the College of Charleston’s Department of Historic Preservation will be added to the permanent archives of the U.S. Library of Congress.

From 1916 to 1925, a total of 5,553 Anderson cars were produced in Rocky Hill in direct competition with Henry Ford’s Model T. In addition to this historic group of “home grown” automobiles, the 2016 Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival will pay homage to the 1925-1948 era of European Classics. Working strictly on the Classic Car Club of America’s designation, marques such as Bugatti, Hispano-Suiza, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo will line the fairways of the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island during the concours portion of the festival, set for Sunday, Nov. 6. Learn more at www.hhiconcours.com.

“We’re proud to pay tribute to a century of South Carolina automotive heritage this year, with a spotlight on these rare Anderson Motor Company automobiles,” said Carolyn Vanagel, president of the HHIMF. “From the state’s earliest success with designing and assembling cars that led the industry in advanced technology to today’s latest models from long-time South Carolina-based manufacturer BMW and now Volvo, we’re looking forward to a thoroughly intriguing journey through the decades.”

John Gary Anderson, the industrial genius behind his name sake marque, was a true visionary – as well as a poet and sculptor. His cars featured numerous innovations, such as an electric windshield wiper years before Ford offered the technology. Other firsts included power convertible tops, a floor-installed headlight dimmer switch which he invented, and a unique review mirror. There was also an onboard air compressor driven by the car’s transmission for pumping up tires and a tool kit integrated into the side door for on-the-go repairs. The radiator cap featured a thermometer known as a “motor meter”, that was visible to the driver. Unlike the Model T’ Ford’s single-color palette of black, Anderson cars came in a wide variety of colors. However, customers paid a price for all this innovation and luxury, with an Anderson ranging in cost from $1,650 for the five-passenger touring car to $2,550 for the sedan, compared to a $345 to $760 price range for the Model T Ford.

In addition to this historic group of “home grown” automobiles, the 2016 Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival (HHIMF) will pay homage to the 1925 – 1948 era of European Classics. Working strictly on the Classic Car Club of America’s designation, marques such as Bugatti, Hispano-Suiza, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo will line the fairways of the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island during the Concours portion of the festival, being held Sunday, Nov. 6. Two classes have been dedicated to this year’s Honored Marque: one for open and one for closed. 

The HHIMF will also celebrate American Cars of 1956.

Other signature events on the 2016 HHIMF schedule include:

For more information on the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, visit the official website at www.HHIMotoringFestival.com.